We, the parish of Sacred Heart, are committed to enriching the Spirituality of the parish family, the Christian community, and all brothers and sisters created in God's divine image and likeness.  We are called by the Holy Spirit, under the leadership of our Bishop and Pastor, to assist others through the development and promotion of various ministries.  We pray for Divine guidance that we may serve others with truth, courage, forethought, and compassion.

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You can now donate/tithe/contribute online towards the needs of our church.
Please visit our online-giving page at the top bar of this page.

                                 The Lord is Nigh

by:  Fr. Raney Johnson

One of my favorite Advent hymns is “On Jordan’s Bank.” The opening words of the hymn state, “On  Jordan’s bank the Baptist’s cry, announces that the Lord is nigh.” These words are central to what we celebrate during the Advent season, “the Lord is nigh.” We focus on both the first coming of Christ, which culminates in the celebration of Christmas, and the second coming of Christ at the end of time. Jesus tells us in today’s gospel what his second coming will be like, “And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.” The second coming of Jesus will be a glorious event. Although the words of Jesus about his second coming in the gospel might sound ominous and scary, we should not fear the return of Jesus Christ. We welcome it! Jesus even says, “But when these signs begin to happen, stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand.”

 At the second coming of Christ, our Lord and Savior will triumphantly return and bring about our resurrection to eternal life. We should look forward to this with eager expectation, in the same way as we look forward to the celebration of Christmas. During Advent, we both wait for the Christmas season and the return of Jesus at the end of time. We often put a lot of preparation into our celebration of Christmas. However, do we prepare ourselves for the return of Jesus Christ?

 How do we prepare for the second coming? Jesus gives us the answer. He says, “Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy from carousing and drunkenness and the anxieties of daily life.” Jesus instructs us to resist the temptation to fall into sin as we wait for his return. This resistance to sin is a lifelong battle and necessarily involves growing in virtue. Just as we do not know the day of the Lord’s return, we also do not know the day when we will leave this world. Thus, we have to always be prepared and avoid sin. The second point Jesus makes is to avoid “the anxieties of daily life.” Of course, having anxiety is not a sin; however, anxiety about our daily lives can cause us to place too much emphasis on good things in our lives. When we focus more on our jobs, houses, cars, and other material things than on our relationship with    Jesus, then we become distracted. Jesus is trying to teach us how to avoid the trap of worrying constantly about our life on this earth without giving thought to the next life in eternity.

 We do not want the second coming of Christ to catch us “by surprise like a trap.” Instead, we have to listen to the gospel, “Be vigilant at all times.” The Lord will return, and we should be ready for that return. The way we prepare is by remaining faithful to God and living holy lives. If we stay close to Jesus, he will help us to prepare for his return. Find time during this Advent season to spend time with Jesus in prayer, and ask him to help you prepare for both the Christmas season and his second coming at the end of time. As the gospel states, “pray that you have the strength… to stand before the Son of Man.” The Lord is nigh. Are you prepared to welcome him?

On July 24, 1990, the National Black Catholic Caucus of the United States designated November as Black Catholic History Month to celebrate the long history and proud heritage of Black Catholics.

Two commemorative dates fall within this month:

Saint Augustine's Birthday (November 13) and Saint Martin de Porres' Feast Day (November 3).

More importantly, November not only marks a time when we pray for all saints and souls in loving remembrance, but also a time to recall the saints and souls of Africa and the African Diaspora.

For the this month we are spolighting Bishop Fabre Shelton, the Fourth Bishop of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux.  Please see his bio in the Bulletin dated 11/14/21.

How the Lucky Calendar Numbers work for you
 and work for the good of the Church

This is what the fundraiser provides to this church:
 

• The intent is to gift 80% of sales above the cost of the program each year to the church.
• to provide a fun filled stress free Fall Fair for you, your family, and friends. 
• to show appreciation to Mother’s and Father’s by giving gifts this year and future.
• to help offset the cost to send our youth to different camps/events/retreats.
• If all 1,000 numbers are sold THIS year for 2022 calendar year, That equals $25,000.
• If all 1,000 numbers are sold, the guaranteed payout would be around $9,000

1. The gaming commission has approved this to be a fundraiser.
2. Each Lucky Calendar Number is assigned a 3-digit number
3. The winning numbers ARE the Louisiana Lottery Pick 3 numbers which are drawn & announced every night at 10 pm except Easter and Christmas when there is no drawing. 
4. For you, the payout is like this: if your number is drawn Monday through Friday, you win $25.00.  If it’s drawn on a Saturday, you win $35.00 and if it is drawn on a Sunday you win $50.
5. But if your # is drawn on one of the 20 selected special days listed on the Lucky Number, you win $100, $200 or $300 instead of the above prize.
6. There is no limit to how many times you can win, it’s all based on the Pick 3 numbers.
7. The Pastoral Council keeps up with the numbers, you don’t have to unless you choose to.
8. Each Monday winning numbers are recorded and checks are mailed. 
9. Each Lucky Calendar Number cost $25.

• Each Church family take 5 Lucky Numbers to sell to family, friends, and co-workers, etc. and be sure to turn in the address portion &  money in to the church.
• Buy one for yourself
• Buy one for your significant other
• Give as gifts

As a reminder the last Early Bird drawing for a $250 VISA Gift Card is Dec. 12, 2021.
 

Have fun and play along.  You’ll be glad you did!
The Pastoral Council

THE HOLY FATHER'S PRAYER INTENTION FOR THE YEAR 2021

NOVEMBER:  Universal intention - People who suffer from depression
We pray that people who suffer from depression or burn-out will find support and a light that opens them up to life.

DECEMBER:  Intention for evangelization - Catechists
Let us pray for the catechists, summoned to announce the Word of God: may they be its witnesses, with courage and creativity and in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Vatican, 31st January 2020
Francis
Original : Italian

Plenary Indulgences Available for the Year of Saint Joseph
The Apostolic Penitentiary issued a decree on December 8, 2020, formally announcing the decision of Pope Francis to celebrate the Year of Saint Joseph through December 8, 2021. Special opportunities to receive a plenary indulgence were also included, subject to the usual conditions: sacramental confession, reception of Holy Communion, prayer for the intentions of the Pope, and total detachment to all sin, including venial sin.
 
Due to the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the Holy See made provision in its decree that persons who are currently unable to go to Mass or confession because of public health restrictions may defer reception of those two sacraments until they are able to do so. Those who are sick, suffering, or homebound may also receive the plenary indulgence by fulfilling as much as they are able and by offering their sorrows and sufferings to God through Saint Joseph, consoler of the sick and patron saint for receiving a good death.
 

The following prayers and activities have been enriched with a plenary indulgence:
• meditate for at least 30 minutes on the Lord’s Prayer (“Our Father”) or participate in a spiritual retreat of at least one day that includes a meditation on Saint Joseph;
• perform a corporal or spiritual work of mercy, inspired by the life and example of Saint Joseph;
• pray the Rosary together as a family or a couple, modeling the virtues of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph;
• dedicate with confidence their daily work to the protection of Saint Joseph the Worker, including the efforts of those who are unemployed, underemployed, or seeking more dignified work;
• devoutly recite the Litany of Saint Joseph (from the Latin Church; available at USCCB.org/prayer-and-worship/prayers-and-devotions/litanies/litany-of-saint-joseph),1 some or all of the Akathistos hymn to Saint Joseph (from the Byzantine Churches), or another suitable prayer in each liturgical tradition, especially for the intentions of persecuted Catholics in the Church and around the world, and for the relief of all Christians who suffer persecution; or
• devoutly recite an another approved prayer to Saint Joseph, for example the “To you, O blessed Joseph” (available at USCCB.org/prayer-and-worship/prayers-and-devotions/prayers/prayer-to-st-joseph-after-rosary),2 especially on various feasts of Saint Joseph: March 19 (his solemnity), May 1 (St. Joseph the Worker), the Sunday after Christmas (Holy Family), St. Joseph’s Sunday (Byzantine Catholics), or on the 19th day of each month, or each Wednesday, traditionally dedicated to honor his memory with pious devotions.
 
To assist the faithful, the final page of the (attached) Newsletter includes several prayers for Saint Joseph drawn from approved sources, including the recent Apostolic Letter Patris Corde by Pope Francis, and the Roman Missal.

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After Wed. Morning Mass and
30 minutes before Weekend Masses)

Location:
4736 Lyba Street
Shreveport, LA   71109-0467

Postal Mail:
4736 Lyba Street
Shreveport, LA   71109-0467

Rectory:            318-635-2121
Church:             318-635-2121
Fax:                  318-635-5226
Gabriel Hall:     318-635-5446